Augusta leaders discuss food trucks, hotel guests, hiring and more
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Augusta Commission met on Halloween to discuss a scary, long agenda.
One agenda item hitting the streets is a potential new food truck ordinance. On top of more regulations on safety and business licenses, the first draft includes not being able to park in front of tree trunks, and staying 15 feet away from any business entryways.
This started after commissioners brought up staff difficulties in being able to check business licenses at big events like the Saturday market, which was followed by food truck owners complaining about being moved from certain parking locations.
The ordinance didn’t make it through commission on Tuesday, but there was talk about creating an entertainment district. It would allow for a wider range of food trucks to operate in public spots.
City leaders seem to agree that they need a streamlined business permit process, but the long list of restrictions about things like distance and noise did not sit well.
“I feel like this ordinance gives them the ability to just now call and cry nuisance,” said Commissioner Jordan Johnson.
So, commissioners are moving forward with a new decal policy for food trucks. A decal, right there on the truck, showing the mobile business has all the right licenses.
But even with that, everyone pointed to the city’s long-overdue need for an entertainment district.
“Not just food trucks, but other vendors. Creating this Saturday Market type of concept at the Augusta Common all the time, is going to be a great concept,” said Johnson.
Commissioner Brandon Garrett said: “Really, the Augusta Common is empty most days and there are already built-in side streets.”
If it’s ed in the budget, it would allow for unique downtown opportunities like food trucks on the common daily.
The director of Sirius Sage said: “I feel like having something there every day, would be that opportunity to see that growth as far as Atlanta goes.”
The people at Sirius Sage have seen the center of downtown and Broad Street grow since 2018 and say this could be another big step for Augusta.
“One of the things that also brings people together is food. So for food to be here, right there, all the time, you would see a lot more faces here just ing by just to get a whiff,” said the director.
While creating an entertainment district wouldn’t start until April of next year, the truck decal program moves to full commission next week.
Another item coming back to Tuesday’s meeting of the Augusta Commission’s committees was an update from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office on transient hotel guests. Commissioners held a workshop on Oct. 19 to figure out whether a new ordinance is needed to help curb guests overstaying their welcome and whether the sheriff’s office needed more teeth to remove those overstaying their welcome.
This meeting was met with confusion between city leadership and hotel owners. However, a deputy on behalf of the sheriff’s office was only called to speak on the matter 10 minutes before the meeting started. Now, a letter from Sheriff Richard Roundtree recommends hotel owners only hold reservations for a week at a time to avoid long-term guests overstaying.
Other items on Tuesday’s agenda:
- In a special called meeting, commissioners were planning to approve “City of Augusta, Georgia 2023 Comprehensive Plan Update: Envision Augusta.”
- Commissioner Sean Frantom wanted to discuss the Human Resources Department’s process of employee wage increases by eliminating positions in other departments, as well as the hiring process for Augusta employees.
- Approval of a dedication sign concept for Diamond Lakes ballfield in honor of Fred Ancil “Andy” Cheek III.
- A presentation from the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce about the city of Augusta Business Equity Fund.
While changes and votes may occur, all items from Tuesday’s meeting must go through the full Augusta Commission before they are fully approved.
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